The best places to eat, sleep and play in Big Island

BIG ISLAND
FALL & WINTER GUIDE 2011 – 2012
The best places to eat, sleep and play
in Big Island this fall and winter
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planning a snap for the 50 million travelers visiting our site each month.
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INTRODUCTION
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the world, has collected the best insider tips from its 50 million monthly visitors to produce a unique
series of travel guides. In addition to the best hotels, restaurants and attractions for every type of traveler,
you’ll get great advice about what to pack, how to get around and where to find the best views. Be sure
to check out the guides at www.tripadvisor.com.
You’ll find reviews for more than
520,000 hotels, 125,000 vacation rentals,
155,000 attractions and 715,000 restaurants on
TripAdvisor.com. Learn from other travelers
what to expect before you make your plans.
PACKING TIPS
1. “The sun is very strong, so pack a
bathing suit that covers your body.”—
TripAdvisor Member, Newport Beach,
Calif.
2. The eastern side of the Big Island
is rainy, so “be sure to pack a rain
jacket and an umbrella. There is
a reason that there is so much lush
vegetation in the area!”—TripAdvisor
Member, Suisun City, Calif.
3. At the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park,
“your hike around the crater is pretty
intense. Be sure to bring a LOT of
water. I personally used a Hydration
System—a backpack in which you can
store water and drink out of using a
built-in faucet.”—TripAdvisor Member,
Whitefish Bay, Wis.
Inside
BIG ISLAND
Overshadowed by her better-branded sisters, the Big Island of
Hawaii is larger than all of the others in the chain combined—
nearly the size of Connecticut. Most travelers know it for
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to the longest volcanic
eruption in recorded history (it’s been going since 1963).
With a population of around 160,000, it’s an empty, wild and
ecologically diverse “continent in miniature.” With everything
from rainforests to deserts to snow-capped mountains, the
island is tailor-made for adventurers and lovers of the outdoors.
But it is also home to the exclusive Kohala Coast, filled with
luxurious mega-resorts.
The Big Island is pivotal to Hawaii’s history: The Polynesians
who traveled from the Marquesas first settled here, and the
island was the birthplace of the great King Kamehameha I.
Since it has a little (or a lot of) something for everyone, the Big
Island remains a favorite for repeat vacationers to Hawaii.
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2
Top
VIEWS
BIG ISLAND’S BEST VIEWS
“The Waipio Valley Lookout is one of the most dramatic sights on
the island.”—TripAdvisor Member, Papaikou
The Waipio Valley Lookout, end of Highway 240
Head to South Point, “the southernmost point in the United
States—a pretty cool photo-op. Plus you’ll see some beautiful sea
cliffs and big waves.”—TripAdvisor Member, Dawsonville, Ga.
South Point, South Point Road
Where
to
“Our sunset and stargazing trip up the 14,000-foot mountain of
Mauna Kea was breathtaking. The views going up were spectacular;
you could see all the way to Hilo. We drove through some thin cloud
banks on our way up; once we popped through, the biggest full
moon I have ever seen was just cresting the summit.”—TripAdvisor
Member, North Carolina
Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station, Mauna Kea Access Road,
808 961 2180
PLAY
TOP 10 Attractions
1. Hula Daddy Kona Coffee, 74-4944 Mamalahoa Hwy., Holualoa, 808 327 9744
2. Mauna Kea Summit, Mauna Kea Access Road, 808 961 2180
3. Kilauea Iki Trail, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 808 985 6000
4. Hapuna Beach, Off Highway 19, Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Kohala Coast,
808 974 6200
5. Chain of Craters Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 808 985 6000
6. Kilauea, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 808 985 6000
7. Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, 73 1944 Hao St., KailuaKona, 808 345 6600
8. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, 27-717 Old Mamalahoa Hwy.,
Papaikou, 808 964 5233
9. Manini’owali Beach (Kua Bay), Highway 19
10. Pololu Valley Lookout, End of Highway 270
FAMILIES
The Hilton Waikoloa Village is the only
place that guarantees a swim with dolphins,
in a controlled setting. The “kids did
the Dolphin Quest and really enjoyed
it. It is pricey but something we feel they
will always remember in their lives.”—
TripAdvisor Member, San Diego, Calif.
Dolphin Quest, 425 Waikoloa Beach Dr.,
Waikoloa, 808 886 2875
ROMANCE
The Big Island’s remote Green Sand
Beach, located in a private cove on the
southern tip of the island, is usually devoid
of other tourists. “It’s stark, rugged, almost
primitive—and I loved it. We visited it in the
late afternoon, when the light was fading
and it felt like a place apart from the rest
of reality.”—TripAdvisor Member, Calgary,
Alberta
The ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center at the
University of Hawaii in Hilo is a relatively
new and impressive attraction. “The exhibit
hall features more than 300 displays and is
accessed through a storybook koa forest. The
exhibits, many of them interactive, link the
voyaging explorations of early Hawaiians to the
astronomical discoveries of today’s scientists.”—
TripAdvisor Member, Berkeley, Calif.
A trip to the Big Island isn’t complete
without a snorkeling expedition. “Would
highly recommend Sea Quest to all
able-bodied first-timers to Hawaii, firsttime snorkelers and particularly to families
with middle school to high school kids.”—
TripAdvisor Member, California
Sea Quest Rafting & Snorkeling Tours,
Keauhou Bay, 808 329 7238
‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, 600 `Imiloa Place,
Hilo, 808 969 9700
“Don’t miss the Spa Without Walls.”
Private outdoor huts “near the waterfalls
create the most perfect setup for a couples
massage.” The spa also features cabanas
open to the Pacific breezes. “I wish I could
do it all over again. Enjoy!”—TripAdvisor
Member, Toronto, Ontario
Spa Without Walls, Fairmont Orchid, 1 N.
Kaniku Dr., Kohala Coast, 808 885 2000
Green Sand Beach, South Point Road, Ka’u
Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716
The Waipio Valley is a sacred area for Hawaiians,
and you can visit on horseback with Na’alapa
Stables. “The ride itself was fabulous. We
went deep into the valley’s interior, along the
valley floor through lush jungle trails, through
streams and rivers. We saw dramatic 1,200foot waterfalls, taro patches, lotus ponds,
wild horses and exotic plants and birds.”—
TripAdvisor Member, Riverhead, N.Y.
Na’alapa Stables, Waipio Valley, 808 775 0419
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Where
to
PLAY
BUDGET
“I’ve been to the Akaka Falls many times
and I’m always in awe of the giant ferns and
plants that make you believe you’ve entered
a tropical jungle! The fragrance of the wild
ginger adds so much to the experience as
well. They charge a small admission fee now,
so remember to bring cash.”—TripAdvisor
Member, Washington
Akaka Falls, Highway 90 to Hamakeua
Highway, 808 974 6200
You’ll find great deals on souvenirs and other
island goodies at the Farmer’s Market in
Hilo: “flowers of many colors, vegetables,
fruit with strange names and even stranger
looks, Japanese food, Vietnamese food,
Korean food, Hawaiian food, jewelry, sarongs,
hats, hair accessories, Japanese and Chinese
knives, painted pillow covers, mumus.”—
TripAdvisor Member, Live Oak, Fla.
Farmer’s Market, Corner of Mamo and
Kamehameha streets, Hilo, 808 933 1000
For a small donation, you can visit the
fascinating Wood Valley Temple and
Retreat Center, “a restored Buddhist
temple with a resident monk from Ladakh
who lives there along with the resident
managers. There are also resident peacocks
in this lush rain forest setting.”—TripAdvisor
Member, California
Wood Valley Temple and Retreat Center,
1 Temple Road, Ka’u, 808 928 8539
ADVENTURE
“I rented a kayak from Kona Boys and
paddled across Kealakekua Bay to the
Captain Cook Monument one afternoon
and saw many spinner dolphins.”—
TripAdvisor Member, Kodiak, Alaska
Kona Boys Kayak Rental, 79-7539
Mamalahoa Hwy., Kealakekua, 808 328 1234
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park “has so
much to offer it’s difficult to see in just one
day…each stop reveals a different vista or
type of lava. If you’re a little more energetic,
there are some easy-to-moderate hikes that
most people in decent shape can handle.”—
TripAdvisor Member, Connecticut
Don’t miss an opportunity to swim with
the manta rays at night. With Big Island
Divers, “we were one of the first boats on
site for the manta dive and, after spending
some additional time on the reef, were the
absolute last people out.”—TripAdvisor
Member, Texas
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Off
Highway 11 at mile marker 28, 808 328 2288
Big Island Divers, 74-5467 Kaiwi St., KailuaKona, 808 329 6068
EDUCATIONAL/HISTORICAL
On a hillside in South Kona is the humble
Painted Church. Colorful hand-drawn
scenes by a turn-of-the-century Belgian
priest decorate the entire interior of the
edifice. It’s a “very small, beautiful church.
A very friendly congregation greeted
us visitors with yarn leis.”—TripAdvisor
Member
Painted Church, 84-5140 Painted Church
Road, Captain Cook, 808 328 2227
A trip to the Big Island is not complete
without a visit to Pu`uhonua o Honaunau,
a scenic shoreline site with numerous
Hawaiian stone temples. “We enjoyed this
park very much. We took the self-guided
tour, so we could spend as much time as
we wanted looking at things. The rangers
were very helpful and happy to answer
questions.”—TripAdvisor Member, Kirkland,
Wash.
Pu`uhonua O Honaunau,
Off Route 160, 808 328 2288
RELAXATION
Hapuna Beach on the Kohala Coast
is “one of the most beautiful beaches in
the entire country, offering wonderfully
soft sand, swimming, snorkeling, boogie
boarding, etc.”—TripAdvisor Member
Hapuna Beach, Off Highway 19, Queen
Kaahumanu Highway, Kohala Coast,
808 974 6200
Hulihe’e Palace, 75-5718 Alii Dr., KailuaKona, 808 329 1877
“...plants, flowers and trees like
I have never seen before!”
“The Puako Petroglyphs are in one of
the largest preserved petroglyph fields in
Hawaii. The setting is serene and natural.
Plan on at least an hour to walk the trail and
appreciate the petroglyphs. Be aware that
touching or walking on or making rubbings
of the petroglyphs is prohibited, because
it damages them.”—TripAdvisor Member,
Arlington, Va.
Puako Petroglyph Archaeological
Preserve, Holoholokai Beach Park
Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716
Along the shoreline of Kailua-Kona town
is the Hulihe’e Palace, once a residence
for the Hawaiian royalty, still full of their
furniture and personal belongings. “The
house and grounds are very impressive
given the year they were made.”—
TripAdvisor Member
The Hawaii Tropical Botanical
Garden “is quite large, with a variety of
plants, flowers and trees like I have never
seen before! There’s even a waterfall
and beautiful trails along the ocean with
gorgeous views.”—TripAdvisor Member,
Dallas, Texas
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, 27-717
Old Mamalahoa Hwy., Papaikou,
808 964 5233
tripadvisor.com 4
What’s
the
TOUR
How to Get Around
Dolphin Discoveries explores the waters
around the Big Island. “Amazingly colored
fish abound at each location. Be sure to
take an underwater camera to capture the
experience on film.”—TripAdvisor Member,
Mesa, Ariz.
Dolphin Discoveries, 77-116 Queen Kalama
Ave., Kailua-Kona, 808 322 8000
“Our trip with Sea Hawaii trip was so
amazing—six hours exploring the ocean
and Kealakeakua Bay. We started our trip
spotting dolphins and breaching whales. After
coming back to shore, we decided to go again.
We took three, yes three, adventures with
Sea Hawaii in our 12-day stay.”—TripAdvisor
Member, Vancouver, Wash.
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, 808 961 5600
TripAdvisor members have posted
more than 2,000,000 photos on the site.
The good, the bad and the very candid.
It’s almost like being there!
Map of BIG ISLAND HAWAII
Sea Hawaii Rafting, Kailua-Kona,
808 325 7444
“I can’t say enough good things about the
heli tour we took on Blue Hawaiian. I was
not expecting much, to be honest...I was so
wrong!”—TripAdvisor Member, Colorado
Springs, Colo
Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716
tripadvisor.com
5
WHERE
to
eat
FAMILIES
“The food is just one of the things to enjoy
at What’s Shakin’. From the Ono fish
sandwich, to the avocado banana smoothie
to the ‘lava cake’ chocolate desert, this
place is one of the best on the island.”—
TripAdvisor Member, Lebanon, Pa.
What’s Shakin’, 27-999 Old Mamalahoa
Hwy., Pepeekeo, 808 964 3080
The Hilo Bay Cafe is a local favorite.
“My family really enjoyed this nice little
restaurant. It’s tucked away in a shopping
center but worth seeking out.”—
TripAdvisor Member, Long Island, N.Y.
“Jackie Rey’s is a fine family-dining
establishment” with “an extensive kid’s
menu.”—TripAdvisor Member, Madison, Wis.
Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill, 75-5995 Kuakini
Hwy., Kailua-Kona, 808 327 0209
Hilo Bay Café, 315 Maka`ala St., Hilo,
808 935 4939
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“...one of the best on the island.”
TOP 10 Restaurants
1. Da Poke Shack, 76-6246 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, 808 329 7653
6. Annie’s Island Fresh Burgers, 79-7460 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kealakekua, 808 324 6000
2. Mi’s Italian Bistro, 103 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kealakekua, 808 323 3880
7. Holuakoa Cafe, 76-5901 Mamalahoa Hwy., Holualoa, 808 322 2233
3. Cafe’ Ono, 19-3834 Old Volcano Road, Volcano, 808 985 8979
8. Blue Dragon Coastal Cuisine & Musiquarium, 63-3616 Kawaihae Road,
808 882 7771
4. Sushi Rock, 55-3435 Akoni Pule Hwy., Hawi, 808 889 5900
5. Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill, 64-957 Mamaloha Hwy., Kamuela, 808 885 6268
9. Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill, 75-5995 Kuakini Hwy., Kailua-Kona, 808 327 0209
10. Kaleo’s Bar and Grill, 15-2969 Pahoa Village Road, Pahoa, 808 965 5600
ROMANCE
“It was our 45th anniversary, so we thought
we should splurge on the five-course meal
at La Bourgogne. The service was great,
and all the wines complimented the courses
extremely well. We cannot wait for an
occasion to return.”—TripAdvisor Member,
Kailua-Kona
“At Brown’s, a soft ocean breeze and a
live guitarist playing beautifully made for a
hypnotic, serene, perfect anniversary dinner
overlooking the Pacific.”—TripAdvisor
Member, Orange County, Calif.,
Brown’s Beach House, Fairmont Orchid, 1
N. Kaniku Dr., Kohala Coast, 808 885 2000
La Bourgogne French Restaurant, 77-6400
Nalani St., Kailua-Kona, 808 329 6711
“...lit only by candles
and tiki lights.”
“We had a perfect evening at Don the
Beachcomber. We were seated on the
lanai next to the crashing surf and lit only
by candles and tiki lights. They brought us a
quarter of a perfectly ripened pineapple and
a basket of their delicious rosemary focaccia
before we even ordered.”—TripAdvisor
Member, Creswell, Ore.
Don the Beachcomber, Royal Kona Resort,
75-5852 Alii Dr., Kailua-Kona, 808 329 3111
BUDGET
Pau is the “best value for dinner in Hawaii.
Everything was incredibly fresh, and the
pizza was huge. We took several slices
home, and it was just as good the next
day.”—TripAdvisor Member, Columbia, S.C.
Pau, 65-1227 Opelo Road, Kamuela,
808 885 6325
Café Pesto “was the best restaurant
value by far…the pizza was made with
very fresh ingredients and it lived up to its
reputation as the best on the island. Highly
recommended.”—TripAdvisor Member,
Los Angeles, Calif.
“Stop at the Tex Drive-In and try a
malasada. Had I realized how incredible
they were, I would have bought more than
one! They were cheap, too - 99 cents for
a plain and $1.50 for filled.”—TripAdvisor
Member, Chicago, Ill.
Café Pesto, Kawaihae Shopping Center,
Kawaihae Harbor Hwy. 270, 808 882 1071
Tex Drive In & Restaurant, 45-690 Pakalana
St., Highway 19, Honokaa, 808 775 0598
Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716
tripadvisor.com 6
WHERE
to
eat
HEALTH-CONSCIOUS
Tako Taco Taqueria “may be the only
truly ‘fast’ and ‘healthy’ food on the Island.
Fresh Waimea greens, home cooked flavors,
outstanding guacamole and many vegetarian
and vegan offerings.”—TripAdvisor Member,
Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Tako Taco Taqueria, 64-1066 Mamalahoa
Hwy., Kamuela, 808 887 1717 
“Try the Kona Health Food store in Kona
next to the Safeway. They have a wonderful
cafe.”—TripAdvisor Member, Kona, Hawaii
Kona Natural Foods, 75-1027 Henry St.,
#105, Kailua-Kona, 808 329 2296
“…may be the only truly
‘fast’ and ‘healthy’ food on
the Island.”
“Cafe’ Ono is the lunch place I wish I had
around the corner from me! The food is
immensely fresh and beyond delicious—
flavorful soups, lofty whole-grain breads, simple
salads. There’s not a big menu, but enough to
have interesting options. And the portions were
larger than I could possibly finish.”—TripAdvisor
Member, Los Angeles, Calif.
Cafe’ Ono, 19-3834 Old Volcano Road,
Volcano, 808 985 8979
HIDDEN GEMS
Mi’s is a “tiny restaurant in a tiny building
in the tiny town of Kealakekua. Don’t be
surprised if the owner comes to your table
to pour your wine and visit with you. And
don’t be surprised if they recognize you after
your first visit and treat you like family.”—
TripAdvisor Member, East Wenatchee, Wash.
Mi’s Italian Bistro, 81-6372 Mamalahoa
Hwy., Kealakekua, 808 323 3880
At the Kilauea Lodge, the “food at the
restaurant was excellent, with a relaxing
and lovely setting. Make reservations at the
restaurant; it can book up fast. The staff
is very nice and friendly.”—TripAdvisor
Member, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Kilauea Lodge & Restaurant, 19-3948 Old
Volcano Road, Volcano Village, 808 967 7366
“Last week, we returned home to KailuaKona. With our larder still empty, we opted
for a visit to this little Indonesian restaurant
tucked away in the mall across from the
seawall. We recommend Rapanui to those
who like intimate restaurants with interesting
cuisine.”—TripAdvisor Member, Kailua-Kona
Rapanui Island Café, 75-5695 Alii Dr.,
Kailua-Kona, 808 329 0511
SPECIAL EVENTS
Rewards your senses with a trip to the Kona Chocolate Festival.
Enticing aromas are sure to surround the Big Island’s best chefs,
chocolatiers, ice cream and candy makers as they showcase their
talents while supporting local cacao farming and raising funds for
educational opportunities in Hawaii. (October 15)
Follow the traditional Chinese Lion Dancers as they parade and dance
up to Hilo’s Kalakaua Park for the annual Hilo Chinese New Year
Festival. The Year of the Dragon will begin with Asian arts and crafts,
a slew of enticing foods and drinks, as well as cooking and cultural
performances and demonstrations. (January 23)
Kona Chocolate Festival, Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa,
808 935 9168, http://www.konachocolatefestival.com
Hilo Chinese New Year Festival, Kalakaua Park, Hilo, 808 933 9772
The holiday season in Hawaii is crammed with seasonal shenanigans.
Fill your festive calendar with events from the colorful Waimea
Christmas Twilight Parade and All Day Festival with its dazzling
light displays, to the annual Celebration of Christmas in Music,
which features appearances by the Kona Festivale Chorale, special
guest artists and Christmas carol sing-a-longs. For even more festive
fun, be sure to check out the Invitational Wreath Exhibit running
November to January at the Volcano Art Center. (Invitational Wreath
Exhibit November 19 – January 2, Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade
December 3, Celebration of Christmas in Music December 11 – 12)
Invitational Wreath Exhibit, Volcano Art Center, Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park, 808 967 7565, http://www.volcanoartcenter.org
Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade, Waimea, http://www.bigisland.org
Celebration of Christmas in Music, King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach
Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, 808 331 1115,
http://www.kfchoral.com
Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716
The Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival honors the
beauty of Japanese culture in Hawaii and showcases the annual
blooming of Waimea’s cherry trees along Church Row Park. Enjoy
traditional foods, music and entertainment as you visit the exhibits,
demonstrations, craft booths, and of course experience the
magnificence of the towns’ glorious cherry blossoms. (February)
Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, Waimea, 808 961 8706
Celebrate more than a decade of brewing excellence at the 17th
annual Kona Brewers Festival. Since the 1996 inception of Kona
Brewing Company, locals and visitors have been gathering to
promote craft brewing in what has become one of Kailua-Kona’s
premier events. The festival has raised over $250,000 for Big Island
beneficiaries. (March 10)
Kona Brewers Festival, King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Kailua
Bay, 808 331 3033, http://www.konabrewersfestival.com
tripadvisor.com
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Where
to
STAY
FAMILIES
The Hale Kona Kai Condominiums are
conveniently located right in the main town
of Kailua-Kona. “The price (reasonable) and
location (excellent) make this a great choice
for a family stay.”—TripAdvisor Member,
Colorado
“We recently returned from a stay at the
Keauhou Beach Resort and have three
things to say: location, location, location! This
hotel is located on a wonderful snorkeling
beach, especially for families and beginners…
if you are looking for an inexpensive familyfriendly place with a great location, this is
it!”—TripAdvisor Member, Bishop, Calif.
Hale Kona Kai Condominiums,
75-5870 Kahakai Road, Kailua-Kona,
800 421 3696
Aloha Guest House is a mountainside B&B
on five secluded acres with plenty of room
for the whole family. “When we stayed as
a family, we rented two adjacent rooms,
which worked out perfectly.”—TripAdvisor
Member, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Aloha Guest House, 84-4780 Mamalahoa
Hwy., Captain Cook, 808 328 8955
Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort,
78-6740 Alii Dr., Kailua-Kona, 808 322 3441
ROMANCE
The low-key but elegant and secluded
bungalows of the Four Seasons Resort
Hualalai attract movie stars and romantic
couples. “The purpose of our visit was to
celebrate a belated honeymoon that we
never took when we married eight years
ago. This hotel was a wonderful place to
go for a romantic and luxurious trip.”—
TripAdvisor Member, California
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai,
72-100 Ka`upulehu Dr., Kailua-Kona,
808 325 8000
A 2008 Traveler’s Choice Award winner
for Best Hotel - Romance in the U.S., the
Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel “is a quiet,
romantic and beautiful tropical resort. It
is a great place for couples, and I saw few
children.”—TripAdvisor Member, WinstonSalem, N.C.
Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, 62-100 Kauna’oa
Dr., Kohala Coast, 888 977 4623
“…lie in a hammock or go for a
swim any time of the day or night”
At The Fairmont Orchid, “the grounds
are open 24 hours. You can sit in a hot tub,
lie in a hammock or go for a swim any time
of the day or night, whenever you feel like it.
This makes for a very romantic atmosphere
as you sit in the oceanside hot tub, drinking
champagne, hearing the waves roll up and
looking up at the stars.”—TripAdvisor
Member, New York City, N.Y.
The Fairmont Orchid, 1 N. Kaniku Dr.,
Kohala Coast, 808 885 2000
BUDGET
Dolphin Bay is a “great-value, inexpensive
place to stay in Hilo. The standard
studio is actually a quite big room, with
a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with
big shower, table and a lot of space.”—
TripAdvisor Member, Maniago, Italy
Dolphin Bay, 333 Iliahi St., Hilo,
808 935 1466
The Kona Tiki Hotel is “an old school
motel/hotel—no frills or resort type
amenities. But $90/night for a kitchenette
that’s 20 feet from the water. You just can’t
beat it! Amazing!”—TripAdvisor Member,
Piedmont, Calif.
Kona Tiki Hotel, 75-5968 Alii Dr., , KailuaKona, 808 329 1425
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows,
68-1400 Mauna Lani Dr., Kohala Coast,
808 885 6622
Manago Hotel, 82-6155 Mamalahoa Hwy.,
Captain Cook, 808 323 2642
“Forget any dowdy B&B
images you may have.”
LUXURY
“We are originally from the Big Island and
have stayed in virtually every luxury hotel
on the Kohala/Kona coast. The Mauna Lani
is our favorite and this condo lived up to all
our expectations.”—TripAdvisor Member,
San Francisco, Calif.
“I’d like to recommend the Manago to
anyone on a budget or not. We stayed on
the third floor; the room we received was
very basic and spotless, with a great view.”
—TripAdvisor Member, Waterloo, Ontario
If you want a luxury vacation with the
comforts of home, the Kona Belle Vue
B&B may be right for you. “The rooms
are luxury apartments with all needed
amenities including a full kitchen. The
grounds are beautiful with unblocked
ocean vistas.”—TripAdvisor Member, San
Francisco, Calif.
Kona Belle Vue B & B, Kealakekua, Captain
Cook, 808 328 9898
Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716
“Forget any dowdy B&B images you may
have. Waianuhea is all about style and
luxury. You won’t find any frilly Victorian
lace curtains or dusty knickknacks
decorating this place. It deserves to
be featured in Architectural Digest
magazine.”—TripAdvisor Member, San
Francisco, Calif.
Waianuhea, 45-3503 Kahana Dr., Honokaa,
808 775 1118
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Where
to
STAY
HIDDEN GEMS
Boasting a “dramatic location,” The Palms
Cliff House Inn “is a small B&B located
high on a cliff overlooking the Pacific. We
had a nice lanai with a fantastic view and
soundtrack from the ocean.”—TripAdvisor
Member, Houston, Texas
The Palms Cliff House Inn, 28-3514
Mamalahoa Hwy., Honomu, 866 963 6076
“...a fantastic view
and soundtrack from
the ocean.”
About
Kalani is an eco-resort nestled amid the
rainforest of the Pahoa District, hosting
frequent yoga, massage and health
workshops. “Excellent facility. Food was
healthy and tasty! Staff was wonderful, very
friendly and helpful. Relaxing location and
the classes were enjoyable.”—TripAdvisor
Member, Cambria, Calif.
“The pool and hot tub at the Horizon Guest
House are some of the best I’ve ever seen.
We hung out in them at night and sipped
wine as we watched a sky full of stars that
you can see at very few places on earth.”—
TripAdvisor Member, Washington, D.C.
Horizon Guest House, 86-3992 Mamalahoa
Hwy., Honaunau, 808 328 2540
Kalani Oceanside Retreat, 126860 Kalapana-Kapoho Beach Road, Pahoa,
808 965 7828
Have questions about Big Island? Get
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